Note: If you build your master schedule by hand and type it into the program or if you are re-using an existing master schedule, you do not need to enter Preliminary Section Data. Preliminary Section data is used by the program to create a master schedule for you.
Note: Study Halls should not be included in Preliminary Section Data.
When Teacher and Room Resources have been created, you are ready to begin entering Preliminary Section data. Preliminary Section data is where you give the program information about each section of each course being offered as well as possible time slots. This gives the program the data it needs to build your master schedule. When building it takes into account Student Requests, Teachers, Rooms, Sections and Times.
There are two types of preliminary section data. The first type (Possible Periods, Days, Terms) involves providing the program with ranges of days, terms and periods from which it can choose the best time slot. For example, the program might be given the option of picking either terms 1,2 or terms 3,4 and M,W,F or T, TH, and any period 1-8.
The second type (Exact Times) involves providing the program with sets of term, day, period options. This option is typically used for classes that do not meet at the same time every day. For example, the program might be given to sets of possibilities.
Set 1: Meets all 4 Terms, meets Periods 1,2 on Monday, Period 2 on Tuesday, Period 1,2 on Wednesday, Period 2 on Thursday, Period 1,2 on Friday.
Set 2: Meets all 4 Terms, meets Period 2 on Monday, Period 1,2 on Tuesday, Period 2 on Wednesday, Period 1,2 on Thursday, Period 2 on Friday.
You can enter up to 10 sets of possible meeting times. When building the schedule the program will select the set that accommodates the most students.
You can use both types of preliminary section data simultaneously to build your schedule. When entering data, pick the option that best accommodates the section you are entering.